GENEVA, March 29, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – The Muslim Association of Switzerland blasted mainstream Swiss political parties' use of Islamophobia as an electoral tool, calling for dealing with the Muslim file during the parliamentary and state elections in a more realistic way.

"The programs of the leaders of political parties consider Muslims a real problem in the country despite the complete integration of the minority under the Swiss law," Adel Al-Majiri, head of the association, told IslamOnline.net Tuesday, March 28.

"Mainstream parties play the Islamophobia card in a bid to attract more votes during the current electoral mood on the states level and in preparation to the parliamentary elections (next year)," he said.

Al-Majiri considered the calls for curbing religious freedom of the Muslim minority in Switzerland and putting them under close police scrutiny with the aim of better integrating them as racist and inciting hatred for others due to their religious and race background, highlighting the fact that such calls come after the row over the cartoons that lampooned Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing be upon him).

Muslims in Switzerland should understand the aims of these statements, he said, adding that they should be discreet and not get provoked.

"We are also positive Swiss nationals are aware of such unrealistic electoral campaigns," Al-Majiri said.

He called on the authorities to crackdown on electoral campaigns that promote hatred and racial discrimination, add clauses to the anti-discrimination law on protecting Muslims, encourage society institutions to reinforce mutual respect among all races in Switzerland and activate constructive dialogue between sects and religions to reinforce peaceful coexistence.

The Christian Democratic People's Party is currently drafting what it calls a "Muslims chart" which outlines procedures the party deems as contributing to the integration of Muslims in the society.

The procedures include banning hijab in schools and workplace and making swimming and sports classes compulsory for girls despite a 1993 supreme federal court ruling that prohibits forcing girls to take these classes.

According to leaked media reports, the party further demands from Muslims to abide by Swiss laws if they contradict with Islamic legal codes, prove anti-terrorism sentiment by denouncing Islamist thoughts and abandoning demands for Muslim-only graveyards and halal meat.

The party, moreover, demands from heads of Islamic centers and associations to notify police of any sign of supporting hard-line Islamist thoughts among visitors as a step to expel them from the country.

The party also demands banning "extremist imams" from entering the country.

The Social Democratic Party adopts measures that similarly include banning hijab in schools and government departments and checking Muslims loyalty to the law and constitution.

According to Swiss media reports, the measures also include following up on Muslims behavior in their families, especially treatment of women, forced marriages of females and non-intervention in sibling beliefs and behavior.

The Swiss People's Party, on its part, called for protecting "Christian values and Swiss traditions" from strange cultures, according to the party report on foreigners in Switzerland issued March 20.

According to the party, the number of Muslims is continuously increasing and they always ask for special treatment in schools, hospitals and even jails.

The party further called for revoking citizenship from Muslims if proved red-handed of anti-state principles.

The party considers the 1993 supreme federal court ruling that prohibits forcing girls to take swimming and sports classes as old and the court should reconsider it.

The People's Party has launched a huge media campaign to influence the public opinion to reject building any Islamic center that has a religious style such as a minaret or dome.

On the other hand, Green and Liberal Parties reject the demands of mainstream parties.

The Green Party considered such calls as being against official and non-official policies which call for integrating Muslims in the society.

"On the contrary, these demands – if applied – would drive Muslims to ghettos and increase their isolation in the society," the party said.

The Liberal Party said that the much fuss about Muslims in Switzerland was needless.

"Multiculturalism enriches the country. The law safeguards peaceful living for all people and the constitution safeguards freedom of worship," the party said.

Both the Green and Liberal parties agree that depriving Muslims from these rights does not conform with neutral, multiracial and multicultural Switzerland.

Pundits see that Swiss political parties abuse the lack of financial resources of the Muslim minority that hinders them from resorting to the judiciary system.

The majority of Swiss Muslim minority were astonished by the anti-Muslim campaigns of mainstream parties despite their peaceful living which is praised by the recent Swiss National Security report.

Switzerland is home to some 380,000 Muslims representing a sizable 4.7 percent of the country’s some eight million people.